Friday, June 20, 2014

Buying Guide For Vintage Saxophones

By Ina Hunt


Although the market is generally small, there are still people who look for old musical instruments to buy. Vintage saxophones are included in these antique instruments. If you are looking for one of these saxes to purchase, you should have some ideas of where to look and how to choose.

Similar to other collectible items, you may find a lot of sax listings online. As with any other online purchases, it is important to be cautious and thorough to avoid getting scammed. It may not always be possible to request authenticity or appraisal documents, so you need to ask questions. You should ask the seller specific information about the year it was made and the manufacturer. Request current pictures and find out if there is a written return agreement.

Gather information about the sax you want or are interested in buying. Learn the differences between counterfeit and genuine saxes. Educate yourself on the basics of a sax, down to the minor differences between year models. Compare alto and tenor saxes and how each one looks. These are important parts of weeding out the fakes from all the choices you have.

In most cases, the saxes for sale will have been out of use for some time, which means that it can have some parts that are not in the best condition. You should thoroughly examine the saxophone whenever you can, paying particular attention to the octave pin and keys because these can be more difficult to repair or replace on an antique sax.

Do some price checking before you buy the sax. Contact other collectors or experts to determine the actual value of the sax. If it seems that the seller is asking too much, you can try to negotiate for a lower price or just pass on the purchase and find another one that is in the right price range. After you have checked around for price averages, create a set amount to spend and stick to it.

The sellers you deal with should have experience. They should know a substantial amount about saxes, including the worth of particular models. Sellers should also be credible. A quick check with the Better Business Bureau can show you if there are consumer complaints, what the issues were, and if they were resolved satisfactorily.

Certifications and/or licensing is a must for dealers. A dealer should have a verifiable sales or antique dealer license. Certifications should be from a known professional organization. You have the right to ask for details to verify any information that is supplied by the seller. Keep in mind, however, that licensing laws vary from state to state and are often different in other countries. In many instances, a seller only has to be licensed in the state where he or she operates.

When you are a new collector or buying an antique saxophone, it is natural to get overly excited. It is important, however, to remember this is likely going to be a fairly expensive purchase and should not be taken lightly. Counterfeit saxes are out there and knowing what to look for can help you avoid a huge mistake.




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